Military Service Recognition Book 500 ONTARIO COMMAND SMITH, Douglas Graham Douglas was born in Edmonton, Alberta on August 19, 1919. He enlisted in the Armoured Corps and served in France, Belgium and Holland during World War II. He trained at Camp Borden then was sent overseas to England where he was remustered into the Lincoln and Welland Regiment. He was killed in action at the Battle of Kapelsche Polder where the L and W’s fought a vicious battle against a skilled German force. He is buried in Groesbeek War Cemetery with many others. His brother Herbert also served in World War II as a navigator in Halifax Bombers. SMITH, Everett M. “Spike” Spike was born in Wroxeter, Ontario on June 12, 1922. He enlisted in the Canadian Army (active) on August 3, 1942 at No 1 District Depot, London, ON. After training at Ipperwash, ON and Debert, NS, he went overseas and assigned to 1st Division Royal Canadian Regiment at Aldershot, England. Spike was a platoon and company runner. 1st Division wore a red patch on their uniforms and the Germans called them “red patch devils”. Serving in Italy, he became the Commanding Officer’s driver and batman and also drove for Brigadier General Desmond Smith. After the Sicilian/Italian Campaigns, he took part in the liberation of Holland. After the war, he transferred to the Provost Corps of the occupational force in Holland. Spike was honourably discharged on March 13, 1946 at the rank of Private. His medals include the 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, and the War Medal 1939-45. Spike passed away on January 22, 2008 at the age of 85. SMITH, Edwin Charles Edwin Smith was born in Apsley, Ontario in 1923. He left his work at General Electric in Peterborough to enlist in the North Shore New Brunswick Regiment during World War II. He was expecting his first child when he enlisted, however he died in the liberation of Holland on February 8, 1945 and was buried in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, Netherlands. Sadly his son Stanley was never to meet his dad. Members of his extended family have made many trips to his graveside in the years since his death.
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